World’s Largest Airport Solar Farm Arriving at YEG

Edmonton International Airport (YEG) is welcoming a new large-scale investment that will create the largest airport-based solar farm in the world.

Airport City Solar will dramatically transform the west-side of YEG’s lands, create jobs and bring in a potential new power source for airport operations and the Edmonton Metro Region. An agreement with Alpin Sun will see the company develop a 627-acre, 120-megawatt solar farm. All available information shows this will be largest development of its kind at an airport anywhere in the world. The new solar farm reflects YEG’s on-going commitment to economic development and diversification, along with its core value of being dedicated to sustainability.

The European-based company, Alpin Sun, is a global developer of utility scale renewable projects and is proposing to locate Airport City Solar on land leased on the west side of the YEG.  Airport City Solar is expected to begin construction in early 2022 and be operational by the end of the year. The project will bring in an estimated $169 million in foreign direct investment to the Edmonton Metro Region. Power generated by Airport City Solar will feed into Fortis Alberta and airport distribution systems.

“One of our core principles is being dedicated to sustainability. With Airport City Solar and Alpin Sun we’re creating something the whole world will notice. We’re Canada’s largest airport by land size so we have the space to do something very special – the largest solar farm at an airport in the world. This will create jobs, provide sustainable solar power for our region and shows our dedication to sustainability," said Tom Ruth, president and CEO Edmonton International Airport.

Quick facts about Airport City Solar:

• Construction will employ 120 workers for a year, with up to 250 workers at its peak
• The 120Mwh facility will generate approximately 200,000 MWh per year
• Alpin Sun estimates that annual production of 200,000 MWh will result in an annual offset of an estimated 106,000 tonnes of CO2.
• Airport City Solar will consist of approximately 340,000 solar panels
• The facility will produce enough electricity to power between 27,000-28,000 homes
• The facility area of 627 acres will equal roughly 313 CFL football fields
• The panels will be constructed in two main groupings
• East grouping will be 367 acres that would accommodate 72 MW
• West grouping will be 259 acres that would accommodate 48 MW

“It has been a pleasure working with EIA Vice-President Myron Keehn and Director Geoff Herdman to bring this opportunity to the EIA, and their support was key to our location decision," said Adrian Ioance, Vice President of Alpin Sun.

“We want to add to Alberta’s recovery momentum and be in a position by 2022 to not only support existing industries and communities in the area but also serve as a catalyst for new investment in advanced technology and logistics," Fred Null, director of project development, Alpin Sun.

“This fully private-sector investment in the world’s largest airport solar farm will create hundreds of jobs and represents an investment of nearly $170 million. The project, when combined with other recent exciting investments in renewables, shows that Alberta is the most attractive place in Canada to invest, not just in renewable energy, but across all sectors of the economy," said Tanya Fir, minister of economic development, Trade and Tourism.

“Leduc County welcomes Alpin-Sun to the region. Within Leduc County, EIA is a regional leader in diversification and innovation. Alpin-Sun will not only bring business diversification, but new development and employment opportunities to Leduc County residents and the region," said Tanni Doblanko, mayor of Leduc County.

"This exciting project demonstrates the growing role of solar energy in Alberta's economy. Private sector investments like this show the strength of Alberta's solar resource across much of the province, including in and around Edmonton. EIA is demonstrating leadership by harnessing the competitive economics of solar to establish the airport and surrounding transportation corridors as a hub for the solar value chain in this part of North America. This bodes well for jobs and economic benefits in the region well into the future," said Benjamin Thibault, executive director, Solar Alberta.

"EIA runs one of the world’s most innovative airports and in recent years has attracted more than $1 billion in investment and thousands of quality jobs through Airport City and economic diversification. Alpin Sun’s major investment combined with EIA’s focus on innovation will create significant value for airlines. Welcome to our region Alpin Sun, we look forward to seeing this investment begin construction," said Malcom Bruce, CEO Edmonton Global.

EIA is dedicated to sustainability and continuing its record of environmental initiatives. Other examples of how EIA supports environmental sustainability see:

• Testing new water filtration initiatives with Alberta-based Swirltex
• Absolute Combustion International and EIA’s more efficient aircraft heater
• Measuring and reporting on Energy and Carbon targets
• LEED Certification of Central Tower and terminal expansion
• Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) program participating with 288 airports worldwide
• BOMA Best Gold for a corporate facility, The Outstanding Building of the Year, 2016

Over the next year, the Alpin Sun team will conduct extensive studies and seek approvals from the required local, provincial and federal regulatory agencies, including NAV Canada. Field Law of Edmonton assists Alpin Sun on legal matters related to this project and others in Alberta, and DNV-GL of Calgary assists on environmental studies and permitting.  Colliers International - Edmonton's YEG Team, led by Evelyn Stolk & Rod Connop as well as Colliers International - Philadelphia brokered this transaction.